Random Thoughts

Good Morning,
I usually don’t try to update the blog or really do much with the computer in the morning, but I had a few free minutes, and after I went to bed last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about the wonderful woman from Maine. It really got me thinking. Mostly of how wonderful, funny, caring, and generous she was, but also about life in general. She was one of those people who I would only see every several years, and every time, it was like I had never gone. Not that we were especially close, but it made me really think about how much of an impact we all have on this world. Whether we decide to just coast through it, and let life happen to us, or whether we dare to live the lives we have always dreamed. Either way we end up impacting people at some level. Not always for the better, but we still impact people.

I say all this to say, live the life you’ve dreamed about. Dare to step out in faith, and not wait until the path less traveled has become a well lit road. In the words of Erwin McManus, “Love God, and do what you want.” I’m not saying whatever feels good do it, but rather that don’t be afraid to risk in life. I believe with everything in me, that God puts desires in our heart………….we just need to courage to follow it sometimes. Dream big, and don’t be ashamed of doing so.

You can probably tell from the name of this blog, that I have read, and am reading again Donald Miller’s A million miles in a thousand years. The premise of the book is that Don is asked to write a screenplay based on one of his books, and in the process, learns the concept of story itself. He decides that story doesn’t just matter in writing, it matters in life. What kind of story are you writing? Most of our lives wouldn’t make a good book, or a good film, and that’s not necessarily bad. However I want to write a better story. Not so that I get a book written about me, or that someone makes a movie based around my character; but rather that I want to live a story that is meaningful. I want my life to count for something bigger than myself.

As most of you know, part of my story was written over nine years ago, when my twin brother was killed in a hunting accident. The recent loss got me thinking about the incident again, and a lot about how the last time I looked into Jake’s eyes, that I knew something wasn’t right, and just wanted to tell him I loved him; but you don’t say those things when you’re walking into the woods to hunt. I know that he knew I did, and I could see in his eyes that he wanted to say the same thing. The reason I am saying this, is that don’t be afraid to tell the people you love how you feel. Don’t be afraid to step out into the story you want to live. Don’t wait. Start treating your children the way they should be. Start treating your wife the way you would want someone to treat your daughter; or treat your husband the way you would want someone to treat your son. Live better stories, not regrets.

I hope this makes some sense, and isn’t just a bunch of rambling….as that is how it feels. Just really felt I needed to write something.

Love and miss you all,

Joe